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Qualifications to Become U.S. President

1. At least 35 years old

2. Natural-born citizen

3. Lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years

Unwritten Qualifications: Historical Trends

• Religion: Generally, most presidents have been Christians, with no president being from a non-Christian faith, except for JFK, who was the first Roman Catholic.

• Race: All presidents have been white except for Barack Obama.

• Military Service: Many presidents have had military experience, but all have been male.

• Gender: All presidents so far have been male.

• Age: The average age of presidents has varied, but younger presidents, like John F. Kennedy, have also held office.

Key Presidential Facts

• Youngest President: Theodore Roosevelt (or potentially John F. Kennedy, depending on interpretation; he was the youngest elected at age 43).

• 20th Amendment: Sets new start dates for Congress and presidential terms.

• 22nd Amendment: Limits the president to two terms in office.

• 23rd Amendment: Grants Washington, D.C., three electoral votes.

• 25th Amendment: Explains presidential succession and procedures for presidential disability.

Presidential Succession

1. Vice President

2. Speaker of the House

3. President pro tempore of the Senate

4. Secretary of State

Electoral College

• Definition: A system where each state gets electoral votes based on its number of senators (2) plus its representatives in the House.

• Total Electoral Votes: 538

• Votes Needed to Win: 270

• Georgia's Electoral Votes: 16 (2 senators + 14 representatives).

12th Amendment: Requires separate ballots for president and vice president.

• Tie in Electoral Count: The House of Representatives votes to choose the president.

Electoral Votes Allocation: States gain or lose electoral votes based on changes in population as determined by the census.

Electoral Vote Basics

• Smallest Number of Electoral Votes a State Can Have: 3

• Swing States: States that could vote either way in elections.

• Safe States: States that consistently vote for one party, either Republican or Democratic.

Roles of the President

1. Chief Diplomat: Responsible for foreign relations and treaty negotiations.

2. Commander in Chief: In charge of the military.

3. Chief Executive: Enforces U.S. laws.

4. Chief of Party: Leader of their political party.

5. Chief Legislator: Influences legislative agenda.

6. Chief Guardian of the Economy: Monitors economic affairs and promotes policies.

Definition of Bureaucracy:

A formal system of administration characterized by structured processes and roles designed for efficiency.

Independent Regulatory Agencies

1. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Oversees the stock market.

2. Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Regulates radio, television, and telecommunications.

Government Corporations:

These are businesses owned by the government that provide services, such as:

1. United States Postal Service (USPS) - delivers mail.

2. Amtrak - operates passenger trains.

Cabinet Purpose:

Advises the president and oversees various government departments.

Cabinet Departments:

1. Department of State

2. Department of Treasury

3. Department of Defense

4. Department of Justice

5. Department of the Interior

6. Department of Agriculture

7. Department of Commerce

8. Department of Labor

9. Department of Health and Human Services

10. Department of Housing and Urban Development

11. Department of Transportation

12. Department of Energy

13. Department of Education

14. Department of Veterans Affairs

15. Department of Homeland Security

Foreign Policy Tools Used by the U.S.:

1. Diplomacy: Negotiating and talking things out.

2. Foreign Aid: Financial assistance to other countries.

3. Military Force: Using the military as a tool.

4. Trade: Making agreements on goods.

5. Sanctions: Economic penalties imposed on other countries.

6. Alliances: Partnerships with other nations.

7. Espionage: Gathering information secretly.

Examples of Economic Aid and Sanctions:

• Economic Aid: Providing financial assistance to developing nations.

• Sanctions: Cutting off trade with a nation as punishment.

NAFTA: A trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, allowing for trade without tariffs.